Strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawEighty’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawEighty’, particularly selected for the size, glossiness, firmness, yield, and shelf life of its fruit, as well as the health of the plant, is disclosed.

Botanical classification: Fragaria x ananassa.

Varietal denomination: The varietal denomination of the claimed variety of strawberry plant is ‘DrisStrawEighty’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cultivated strawberry is a hybrid species of the genus Fragaria that is grown worldwide for its fruit. Modern strawberry was first bred in Brittany, France, in the 18^(th) century by crossing Fragaria virginiana with Fragaria chiloensis. Strawberry fruit is an aggregate accessory fruit, with the fleshy part of the fruit being derived from the receptacle that holds the ovaries.

Strawberry varieties vary widely in color, size, shape, flavor, season of ripening, degree of fertility, and susceptibility to disease. Certain varieties vary in foliage, and some vary in the relative development of their reproductive organs. Typically, strawberry flowers appear hermaphroditic in structure, but function as either male or female. Generally, commercial production of strawberry plants involves propagation from runners and distribution as either plugs or bare root plants. Cultivation is either perennial or annual plasticulture. During the off season, strawberries can also be produced in greenhouses.

Strawberry fruit is widely appreciated for its characteristic bright red color, aroma, juicy texture, and sweetness. Strawberry fruit is a popular fruit that is generally consumed either fresh or in prepared foods, such as preserves and baked goods.

Strawberry is an important and valuable fruit crop. Accordingly, there is a need for new varieties of strawberry plants. In particular, there is a need for improved varieties of strawberry plant that are stable, high yielding, and agronomically sound.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to meet these needs, the present invention is directed to an improved variety of strawberry plant. In particular, the invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant (Fragaria x ananassa), which has been denominated as ‘DrisStrawEighty’.

Strawberry plant variety ‘DrisStrawEighty’ originated from a cross between the proprietary female parent ‘50T403’ (unpatented) and the proprietary male parent ‘169U 96’ (unpatented). Progeny plants from this cross of ‘50T403’ x ‘169U 96’, including ‘DrisStrawEighty’, were asexually propagated via stolons in Shasta County, Calif., USA in April of 2013. Strawberry plant variety ‘DrisStrawEighty’ was later specifically identified and selected in Monterey County, Calif., USA in June of 2014.

‘DrisStrawEighty’ was subsequently asexually propagated via stolons, and underwent further testing at test plots in Monterey County, Calif., USA for five years (2014 to 2019). The present variety has been found to be stable and reproduce true to type through successive asexual propagations via stolons and tissue culture.

‘DrisStrawEighty’ exhibits the following distinguishing characteristics when grown under normal horticultural practices in Monterey County, Calif., USA:

-   -   1. Inflorescence on the same level as foliage;     -   2. Medium anthocyanin coloration of stolon;     -   3. Straight shape in cross section of terminal leaflet; and     -   4. Free arrangement of petals.

‘DrisStrawEighty’ was particularly selected for the size, glossiness, firmness, yield, and shelf life of its fruit, as well as the health of the plant.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new strawberry plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which show fruit of the plant, flowers, leaves, and the plants. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs are of plants that are eleven months old.

FIG. 1 illustrates whole fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawEighty’.

FIG. 2 illustrates longitudinal sections of fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawEighty’.

FIG. 3 illustrates the upper surfaces of flowers of variety ‘DrisStrawEighty’.

FIG. 4 illustrates the lower surfaces of flowers of variety ‘DrisStrawEighty’.

FIG. 5 illustrates leaves of variety ‘DrisStrawEighty’.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of a plant of variety ‘DrisStrawEighty’.

FIG. 7 illustrates an aerial view of a plant of variety ‘DrisStrawEighty’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘DrisStrawEighty’. The data which define these characteristics is based on observations taken in Monterey County, Calif., USA from 2014 to 2019. This description is in accordance with UPOV terminology. Color designations, color descriptions, and other phenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values and descriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal, climatic, and cultural conditions. ‘DrisStrawEighty’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The botanical description of ‘DrisStrawEighty’ was taken from plants that were eleven months old. The indicated values represent averages calculated from measurements of several plants. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.) (2015 edition). Descriptive terminology follows the Plant Identification Terminology, An Illustrated Glossary, 2^(nd) edition by James G. Harris and Melinda Woolf Harris, unless where otherwise defined.

-   Classification:     -   -   Species.—Fragaria x ananassa.         -   Common name.—Strawberry.         -   Denomination.—‘DrisStrawEighty’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—Proprietary strawberry plant ‘50T403’             (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—Proprietary strawberry plant ‘169U 96’             (unpatented). -   Plant:     -   -   Height.—30.6 cm.         -   Diameter.—47 cm.         -   Number of crowns per plant.—7.7.         -   Growth habit.—Semi-upright. -   Stolon:     -   -   Average number of daughter plants per square foot.—25.         -   Length.—45.5 cm.         -   Diameter at bract.—4.1 mm.         -   Anthocyanin coloration.—Medium.         -   Anthocyanin color.—RHS 59B (Deep purplish red).         -   Stolon color.—RHS 144B (Strong yellow-green). -   Leaf:     -   -   Number of leaflets.—Three only.         -   Color of upper surface.—RHS NN137B (Greyish olive green).         -   Color of lower surface.—RHS 147C (Moderate yellow-green).         -   Variegation.—Absent.         -   Terminal leaflet.—Length: 8.3 cm. Width: 6.9 cm.             Length/width ratio: 0.83. Number of teeth/terminal leaflet:             20.6. Shape of base: Obtuse. Margin: Serrate to crenate.             Shape in cross section: Straight.         -   Petiole.—Length: 24.6 cm. Diameter: 4.2 mm. Attitude of             hairs: Slightly outwards. Bract frequency (number present on             each petiole): 0.8. Color: RHS 144B (Strong yellow-green).         -   Petiolule.—Length: 19.6 mm. Diameter: 2.0 mm. Color: RHS             144C (Strong yellow-green).         -   Stipule.—Length: 2.8 cm. Width: 14.8 mm. Anthocyanin             coloration: Weak. Anthocyanin color: RHS N57D (Deep purplish             pink). Color: RHS 160C (Pale greenish yellow). -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Position in relation to foliage.—Same level.         -   Pedicel.—Attitude of hairs: Horizontal. Length: 26.2 mm.             Diameter: 2.1 mm. Color: RHS 144B (Strong yellow-green).         -   Flower.—Flower diameter (petal tip to petal tip on             non-flattened flower): 23.1 mm. Arrangement of petals: Free.             Stamen: Present. Typical and observed number of flowers per             plant: 5.6.         -   Petal.—Length: 9.5 mm. Width: 8.9 mm. Length/width ratio:             1.07. Typical and observed petal number: 5.5. Color of upper             side: RHS NN155B (Pinkish white). Color of lower side: RHS             155D (Yellowish white). Base shape: Concavo-convex. Apex             shape: Rounded. Margin: Entire.         -   Calyx.—Diameter (sepal tip to sepal tip, measured on back of             flower): 25.0 mm.         -   Sepal.—Length (sepal tip to point of attachment to             receptacle): 8.4 mm. Width: 5.4 mm. Typical and observed             sepal number: 11. Color of upper surface: RHS 136A (Dark             green). Color of lower surface: RHS 147C (Moderate             yellow-green). -   Fruit:     -   -   Length.—33.8 mm.         -   Width.—30.2 mm.         -   Length/width ratio.—1.12.         -   Fruit hollow length.—17.73 mm.         -   Fruit hollow width.—6.35 mm.         -   Fruit hollow length/width ratio.—2.79.         -   Fruit weight.—27.4 grams.         -   Shape.—Conical.         -   Glossiness.—Medium.         -   Firmness.—Firm.         -   Color.—RHS 46A (Strong red).         -   Position of achenes.—Level with surface.         -   Number of achenes per fruit.—153.         -   Position of calyx attachment.—Level with fruit.         -   Attitude of sepals.—Outwards.         -   Color of flesh (excluding core).—RHS 44A (Vivid red).         -   Color of core.—RHS 42B (Strong reddish orange). -   Production:     -   -   Flowering interval.—Mid-February to early November.         -   Harvest interval.—Mid-March to early November.         -   Type of bearing.—Partially remontant.         -   Productivity.—37,325 kg to 50,996 kg of fruit per acre per             season from eleven-month-old plants when grown in Monterey             County, Calif., USA -   Resistance to abiotic stress, pests, and diseases:     -   -   Two-spotted spider mite (tetranychus urticae).—Moderately             susceptible.         -   Botrytis fruit rot (botrytis cinerea).—Moderately             susceptible.         -   Powdery mildew (podosphaera macularis).—Moderately             resistant.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

‘DrisStrawEighty’ differs from the proprietary female parent ‘50T403’ (unpatented) in that fruit of ‘DrisStrawEighty’ are larger in size than fruit of ‘50T403’. In addition, ‘DrisStrawEighty’ has a denser growth habit and maintains fruit size better later in the season when compared with ‘50T403’.

‘DrisStrawEighty’ differs from the proprietary male parent ‘169U 96’ (unpatented) in that fruit of ‘DrisStrawEighty’ have a more uniform shape and firmer texture than fruit of ‘169U 96’. In addition, ‘DrisStrawEighty’ has better leaf health when compared with ‘169U 96’.

‘DrisStrawEighty’ differs from the commercial variety ‘DrisStrawSeventyOne’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 32,500) in that ‘DrisStrawEighty’ has inflorescence level with foliage, medium anthocyanin coloration of stolon, a straight shape in cross section of terminal leaflet, and a horizontal attitude of pedicel hairs, whereas ‘DrisStrawSeventyOne’ has inflorescence beneath foliage, absent or very weak anthocyanin coloration of stolon, a concave shape in cross section of terminal leaflets, and a slightly outwards attitude of pedicel hairs.

‘DrisStrawEighty’ differs from the commercial variety ‘DrisStrawFiftyThree’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 29,749) in that ‘DrisStrawEighty’ has medium anthocyanin coloration of stolon, a straight shape in cross section of terminal leaflets, an obtuse shape of base of terminal leaflet, and a free arrangement of petals, whereas ‘DrisStrawFiftyThree’ has strong anthocyanin coloration of stolon, a concave shape in cross section of terminal leaflet, a rounded shape of base of terminal leaflet, and an overlapping arrangement of petals. 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawEighty’ as shown and described herein. 